Backyard ball park

ABSTRACT

A method of making and reconstructing a uniquely shaped baseball field. Components of the invention create a measuring system allowing a person to build a uniquely shaped ballpark, record its dimensions, take the outfield wall down, and then rebuild it in the same shape.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims the priority benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/671,981, filed Apr. 18, 2005; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/405,310, filed Apr. 17, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baseball is played all over the world and is a favorite pastime in many countries. Often a community becomes known for the shape of the ballpark where its home team plays. The ballpark's shape becomes a symbol of that town. Baseball is played in many venues, from kids playing with plastic balls and bats to the major league player playing in large stadiums. Often in the smaller venues, ballparks are set up on a seasonal basis and taken down when the season is over. Most of these temporary fields are of the same cookie-cutter shape. This is due to the fact that in order to build a ball field of a unique shape and then recreate the identically shaped ballpark, you would have to find exact coordinates on a field then build the outfield wall along those coordinates. That is a difficult, time consuming and expensive task particularly considering that many ball field are set up on a temporary basis and removed at the end of the season. AAA This invention allows a person or town to easily, efficiently and inexpensively build an outfield wall of a unique shape and record is dimensions so the ballpark can be rebuilt in the same shape next year. This in turn allows a town to build a ballpark that is of a unique shape, so the town can become known for the shape its ball field and can enjoy a sense of pride in its symbolism. A smaller version of large parks may also be built thereby allowing players to play a game of baseball with plastic bats and balls in a ballpark that has all the features and is in the shape of much larger ballparks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem with setting up a semi permanent, seasonal of temporary baseball field of a unique shape is that the same coordinates on the field every season have to be located and an outfield wall has to be built along those coordinates.

In the past markings on a field were used, but those can be dangerous if they are permanent and they disappear under the elements if they are not permanent. This invention finds the exact latitude and longitude coordinates of points on a field and builds an outfield wall along those coordinates, creating a ballpark of a unique shape, inexpensively and without leaving permanent markings on the field. The invention can be set up, and taken down and stored so it can be set up again in different locations or stored and set up the next season in the same shape. The invention is customizable allowing people to build an outfield wall and ballpark of dimensions suitable for play with a conventional ball and bat or plastic ball and bat.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the companying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a: Outfield wall/latitude measuring device.

FIG. 1 b: Outfield wall/latitude measuring device with sections cut out.

FIG. 1 c: Outfield wall/latitude measuring device of different heights.

FIG. 1 d: Outfield wall/latitude measuring device rolled up.

FIG. 2 a: Outfield poles.

FIG. 2 b: Labels.

FIG. 3: Longitudinal measuring device.

FIG. 4 a: Right field pole when installed.

FIG. 4 b: Construction first section of the outfield wall.

FIG. 4 c: First section of an outfield wall.

FIG. 5 a: Two sections of an outfield wall.

FIG. 5 b: Three sections of an outfield wall.

FIG. 6 a: Four sections of an outfield wall.

FIG. 6 b: Five sections of an outfield wall.

FIG. 7: Outfield wall with excess material trimmed off.

FIG. 8 a: Record the distance from home plate to pole 1.

FIG. 8 b: Longitude measuring device recording longitude of pole 2.

FIG. 8 c: Longitude measuring device recording longitude of pole 3.

FIG. 8 d: Longitude measuring device recording longitude of pole 4.

FIG. 8 e: Longitude measuring device recording longitude of pole 5.

FIG. 8 f: Longitude measuring device recording longitude of pole 6.

FIG. 9 a: Attach the poles to the outfield wall with numbered labels.

FIG. 9 b: The outfield wall/measuring device, extended with labeled poles attached.

FIG. 9 c: The outfield wall/measuring device rolled up with pole R exposed.

FIG. 10: Figure of the ballpark previously made.

FIG. 11: Pole locations of the previous park.

FIG. 12: Pole locations and figure of the outfield wall.

FIG. 13: Longitude measuring device and pole 1.

FIG. 14: Ball field with just pole 1 set up.

FIG. 15: Pole 2 revealing arc of possible latitude locations of pole location 2.

FIG. 16: Longitude measuring device and pole 2 revealing coordinates of pole location 2.

FIG. 17: First section of the recreated outfield wall.

FIG. 18: Longitude measuring device and pole 3 on the outfield wall/latitude measuring device revealing coordinates of pole location 3.

FIG. 19: Two sections of outfield wall.

FIG. 20: Longitude measuring device and pole 4 on the outfield wall/latitude measuring device revealing coordinates of pole location 4.

FIG. 21: Three sections of outfield wall.

FIG. 22: Longitude measuring device and pole 5 on the outfield wall/latitude measuring device revealing coordinates of pole location 5.

FIG. 23: Four sections of outfield wall.

FIG. 24: Longitude measuring device and pole 6 on the outfield wall/latitude measuring device revealing coordinates of pole location 6.

FIG. 25: Five sections of outfield wall.

FIG. 26: An exact duplicate of the previous ballpark has been created.

FIG. 27: The ballpark and carrying case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is comprised of a kit having components, that when used together allow a person to build a baseball ball field of a unique dimensions, and shapes, record its dimensions, take it down then use the components to rebuild a ballpark in the exact same dimensions and shape. The components comprise a measuring system that determines the longitude and latitude coordinates of important locations that an outfield wall must follow in order to build a ballpark in a unique shape. The components are customizable. This allows a person to record how he made the ballpark so he can recreate the ballpark again over and over. The components of the kit are a longitude measuring device that will determine the longitude location of the outfield wall relative to a home plate, an outfield wall/latitude measuring device, and stakes that hold up the wall.

The invention is comprised of an outfield wall/latitude measuring device (OWLMD) that acts as a measuring device and is also the outfield wall itself. It can be made of any type of material, preferably fencing material. A single length of strong pliable material similar to plastic mesh barrier, which can be rolled up and is weather resistant, is suitable. One end of the OWLMD is marked with an R. See FIG. 1 a. Cutting sections out of the OWLMD can alter the wall height. See FIG. 1 b. This will allow the outfield wall to be of varying heights. See FIG. 1 c. The OWLMD is made out of pliable material, so it can be rolled up when the ballpark needs to be taken down. See FIG. 1 d.

The invention provides a plurality of poles of varying heights that will hold up and support the outfield wall. The poles can easily be driven into the ground and removed when necessary. Any common pole sturdy enough to support the wall is suitable. See FIG. 2 a.

The invention provides a plurality of labels. The labels are numbered and one is marked with an R. The labels are made of material that will allow a label to be wrapped around a poles and through the wall, securing the wall to the pole with the label. See FIG. 2 b. The numbered labels on the poles and OWLMD will determine the latitude coordinates that the outfield wall will be built along giving the ballpark its unique shape.

The invention is further comprised of a longitude measuring device (LMD) which determines the longitude coordinates that the outfield wall will be built along giving the ballpark its unique shape. The LMD may be a line or rope or such pliable material. One end of the line terminates in a stake. Along the line there are numbered tabs and one tab that is labeled R. The tabs can be moved along the line and attached to the to the line at specific distances away from the stake. See FIG. 3. The tabs on the LMD will determine the longitude locations the wall will be built along giving the ballpark its unique shape.

In setting up the ballpark, the following steps are followed.

-   -   1. Establish a point for home plate.     -   2. Drive a pole 1 into the ground along the right side foul line         where you want right field to begin. The size of the pole you         use to will determine the height of the wall.)         -   See FIG. 4 a.     -   3. Attach the end labeled R of OWLMD to the pole 1. See FIG. 4         b.     -   4. Keeping the OWLMD taut extend the OWLMD leftward of the pole         in the direction you want you outfield wall to go.     -   5. Install a pole 2 at a location where you want your ballpark         to make a corner.     -   6. Attach the OWLMD to that Pole 2. See FIG. 4 c.     -   7. Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 until the OWLMD ends. See FIGS. 5 a,         5 b, 6 a, and 6 b.     -   8. Trim the top of the OWLMD so it is the same height as the         height of the poles that support it. See FIG. 7.

To use the invention to record the coordinates of a uniquely shaped ballpark, the following steps are followed.

-   -   Step 1. Install the LMD into the ground in the home plate area.     -   Step 2. Keeping the LMDevice taut, extend it along the ground         along the right side foul line so it passes the base of the         Right field pole 1.     -   Step 3. Attach the Tab Numbered R onto the LMDevice at the         location where it passes Right Field Pole. (This records the         distance from Home plate area to where the right field pole         should be. See FIG. 8 a.     -   Step 4. Walking leftward from the right foul line extending the         L MD away from the Stake along the ground, keeping it taut until         it passes right next to the base of the second Pole.     -   Step 5. Attach the Tab Numbered 2 onto the Longitude Measuring         Device at the location where it passes the pole 2. See FIG. 8 b.     -   Step 6. Walking leftward and extending the LMDevice away from         the Stake along the ground, keeping it taut until it passes         right next to the base of the third pole 3.     -   Step 7. Attach the Tab Numbered 3 onto the LMD at the location         where it passes the pole 3. See FIG. 8 c.     -   Step 8. Walking leftward and extending the LMDevice away from         the Stake along the ground, keeping it taut until it passes         right next to the base of the fourth pole 4.     -   Step 9. Attach the Tab Numbered 4 onto the LMD at the location         where it passes the pole 4. See FIG. 8 d.     -   Step 10. Walking leftward and extending the LMD away from the         Stake along the ground, keeping it taut until it passes right         next to the base of the fifth pole 5.     -   Step 11. Attach the Tab Numbered 5 onto the LMD at the location         where it passes the pole 5. See FIG. 8 e.     -   Step 12. Walking leftward and extending the LMD away from the         Stake along the ground, keeping it taut until it passes right         next to the base of the sixth pole 6.     -   Step 13. Attach the Tab Numbered 6 onto the LMD at the location         where it passes the pole 6. See FIG. 8 f.

In the above example the LMD line at pole 6 should define the left side foul line. In other examples, more or less than six poles may be used to define a ballpark outfield wall configuration. The LMD now has the tabs fixed to it at certain distances from the stake. Each numbered tab will reveal the longitude coordinate of the identically numbered pole.

To record the latitude coordinates of the outfield poles with the tables on the OWLMD, The following steps are taken.

-   -   Step 1. Attach the Label R though the OWLMD and around the right         field pole 1 securing the pole to the fence at that specific         location.     -   Step 2. Walk to the left and attach label numbered 2 R though         the OWLMD and around the Pole 2 securing the pole to the fence         at that specific location.     -   Step 3. Walk to the left and attach label numbered 3 R though         the OWLMD and around Pole 3 securing the pole to the fence at         that specific location.     -   Step 4. Walk to the left and attach label numbered 4 R though         the OWLMD and around Pole 4 securing the pole to the fence at         that specific location.     -   Step 5. Walk to the left and attach label numbered 5 though the         OWLMD and around Pole 5 securing the pole to the fence at that         specific location.     -   Step 6. Walk to the left and attach label numbered 6 though the         OWLMD and around Pole 6 securing the pole to the fence at that         specific location.

See FIG. 9 a.

The poles are attached to the OWLMD at certain distances. The numbered labels, label those poles with numbers. Each numbered pole will find the latitude coordinate of each identically numbered pole location. See FIG. 9 b.

When it is time to take the ballpark and outfield wall down, a person would roll the wall up starting from pole 6 going to pole R, so that pole R is on the exterior of the roll. See FIG. 9 c.

In order to build a baseball park with an outfield wall the same specific shape and specific dimensions as they did before, a person would need to find the longitude and latitude coordinates of the pole locations were they previously installed poles and attach the wall to those poles. For instance in order to recreate the previous outfield wall and ballpark. See FIG. 10.

They would need to find the coordinates of these 6 pole locations (Numbered Pole Locations 1,2,3,4,5 and 6). See FIG. 11.

Then build the outfield wall by installing numbered poles into the correspondingly numbered pole locations. See FIG. 12. Then attach a wall to those poles.

The LMD will find the longitude coordinate with respect to home plate of each pole location. The OWLMD will find the latitude coordinate.

Instructions:

Drive the LMD stake into the ground at the location where you want home plate to be.

Extend the LMD line away from the stake along a designated right foul line to where you want you're your right field wall to begin.

The distance from the stake to the Tab Marked “1” (R) on the LMD, is distance from home plate to where the right outfield wall will begin. It is up to the person where they want to right field to begin. See FIG. 13.

Install Outfield Pole 1 where you want right field to begin at the distance away from home plate revealed by the LMD. See FIG. 14.

The OWLMD is then extended to the left and kept taunt until Pole 2 is revealed.

The distance the OWLMD spans to the left of the Outfield Pole R to Pole 2 creates an arc that determines all the possible latitude locations of the Pole location 2. See FIG. 15.

To find pole location 3, you need to find its longitude location. The LMD reveals this.

The LMD is kept taunt and extended away from the stake until the tab numbered 2 is revealed. The distance between the stake and the tab 2 marked on the LMD creates an arc of possible longitude coordinates of where Pole Location 2 could be.

The exact coordinates are where the arcs intersect, to the left of the Pole 1. See FIG. 16.

The outfield Pole 2 is driven into the ground at Pole location 2, where the arcs intersect. See FIG. 17.

Note: The same steps are repeated over and over, always measuring to the left of the previous Outfield Pole. The identically numbered tabs create arcs of possible longitude and latitude coordinates. The arcs intersect at only one spot in the world to the left of the previous pole. The spot where the arcs cross is the next Pole Location. In this manner the Measuring Devices reveal the latitude coordinate and the longitude coordinates of each People can use this invention to create a ballpark of a unique shape, every time. Complete instructions are detailed below.

Unroll the OWLMD to the left of pole 2 keeping it taut until pole 3 is revealed. The OWLMD reveals an arc of possible latitude coordinates of pole location 3. is revealed. The Outfield Wall/Latitude Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible latitude coordinates of Pole location 3.

The Longitude Measuring Device is kept taut and extended away from the Stake until the Tab numbered “3” is revealed. The Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible longitude coordinates of Pole location 3.

The exact coordinates of Pole location 3 are where the longitude and latitude arcs intersect, to the left of the Outfield Pole 2. See FIG. 18.

Outfield Pole “3” is driven into the ground at Pole location 3. See FIG. 19.

Unroll the OWLMD to the left of pole 3 keeping it taut until pole 4 is revealed. The OWLMD reveals an arc of possible latitude coordinates of Pole location 4.

The LMD is kept taut and extended away from the Stake until the Tab numbered “4” is revealed. The Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible longitude coordinates of Pole location 4.

The exact coordinates of Pole location 4 are where the longitude and latitude arcs intersect, to the left of the Outfield Pole 3. See FIG. 20.

Outfield Pole “4” is driven into the ground at Pole location 4. See FIG. 21.

Unroll the OWLMD to the left of pole 4 keeping it taut until pole 5 is revealed. The OWLMD reveals an arc of possible latitude coordinates of Pole location 5.

The LMD is kept taut and extended away from the stake until the tab numbered “5” is revealed. The Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible longitude coordinates of Pole location 5.

The exact coordinates of Pole location 5 are where the longitude and latitude arcs intersect, to the left of the Outfield Pole 4. See FIG. 22.

Outfield field pole “5” is driven into the ground at Pole location 5. See FIG. 23.

Unroll the OWLMD to the left of pole 5 keeping it taut until pole 6 is revealed. The OWLMD reveals an arc of possible latitude coordinates of pole location 6.

The LMD is kept taunt and extended away from the stake until the tab numbered “6” is revealed. The Measuring Device reveals an arc of possible longitude coordinates of Pole location 6.

The exact coordinates of pole location 6 are where the longitude and latitude arcs intersect, to the left of outfield pole 5. See FIG. 24.

Outfield Pole “6” is driven into the ground at Pole location 5. See FIG. 25.

You have now recreated the outfield wall exactly as you had built it before. Draw foul lines to where you want your home plate to be and you will have a uniquely shaped ballpark. See FIG. 26.

The invention is portable. When the stakes are attached and the OWLMD is rolled up, it can be stored in a carrying case allowing the ballpark to be set up, taken down, and then easily transported and set up in another location. See FIG. 27.

It is understood that the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. 

1. A method of constructing and reconstructing a uniquely shaped baseball park, comprising the steps of: establishing a point for home plate; establishing a right side foul line extending from said home plate point; establish a left field side line extending from said home plate point; selecting a first pole of a desired height; driving said first pole into the ground along the right side foul line where the outfield wall is to begin; providing an elongated length of outfield wall material; attaching one end of said length outfield wall material to said first pole; labeling said attached outfield wall material end “R”; selecting a second pole of a desired height; installing said second pole at a desired outfield location; extending said outfield wall material generally leftward to said second pole; attaching said outfield material to said second pole; tabbing the outfield material at said second pole with a “2”; repeating the above steps until a last pole of desired height is installed on said left side foul line and the outfield material is attached to said last pole; trimming the tops of the outfield material to match the heights of said poles; providing a length of measuring line with a stake attached to one end; installing the stake into the home plate point; extending the measuring line tautly to the first pole from the stake; attaching a tab, marked “R”, to the measuring line where the measuring line meets the first pole; extending the measuring line tautly to the second pole from the stake; attaching a tab, marked “2”, to the measuring line where the measuring line meets the second pole; and repeating the above steps through the last pole.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: removing the poles from the ground; rolling up the outfield material with attached poles starting with the left side foul line pole and ending with the pole R. 